Shoe and method of making the same



Feb. 12, 1929.

F. WRAY SHOE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed June 20, 1928 @j zede zck% Q? ift;

Patented Feb. l2, i199.

FREDERICK WEAY, 0F AKRON, UHIEO, ASSIGNUB. TO THE-B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY,

' 01* NEW YQRK, Ill. Y., A CGRPOEATION OF NEW YORK.

SHOE AND METHGD OF MAKING: THE SAME.

Application filed June 20,

This invention relates to shoes and methods of making the same and is of especial value in overshocs of the slide-fastener type, in which the fastener does not provide adjustability.

My chief object is to provide an improved overshoe which will fit snugly around ankles of various sizes, for neatness of appearance and for exclusion of the dirt or soot which, in being rubbed against the stocking by the overshoe, has frequently caused unsightly smudging of stockings in overshoes of the usual types.

A more specific object is to provide these advantages in a continuous-fastener shoe and especially a shoe of the turned-down or cufied type.

A further object is to provide a method of forming an overshoe of rubber and cloth having an ornamental elastic culflike portion secured to its upper margin whereby the advantages sought may be economically ob.

tained.

A preferred ombodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an overshoe provided with my elastic ornamental cuff, as it normally appears when not in use.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the upper part of an over-shoe embodying my invention, as it appears in place upon the foot.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section of an upper portion of an overs-hoe showing-the manner of attaching the ornamental elastic cuff thereto.

Referring to the drawings, a fabricated overshoe pr galosh of conventional construction is shown at 10 having the usual continuous fastener as shown at 11. Attached to the top margin of the cloth upper of the overshoe as at 13 is a strip of webbing 12 which is longitudinally elastic and which is provided near its ends with the mating members of a snap fastener M for securing it under tension around the ankle of the wearer. The elastic webbing is attached to the shoe as at 13 by Merrow stitching 15, heretofore wellknown in the art in other associations, which has the characteristic, making it suitable for the present use, that it provides an extensible and at the sameitime secure seam, which perll'lliS longitudinal stretching of the elastic webbing as a whole, including its seamed margin. 1 do not wholly limit my claims, however, to this particular type of stitching for providing the stretchable seam.

lln the process of manufacture the elastic 1928. Serial No. 286,818.

webbing is preferably attached to the overshoe after vulcanization of the latter.

The material from which the overshoe is made may be rubberized fabric or the like, wh1ch may have some elasticity permitting it to conform to the shape of the wearers shoe or foot in part by stretching, but which, for uniformity of material throughout the upper, 18 preferably somewhat less elastic than the webbing.

In order to provide that the webbing shall not be unduly limited in its range of stretch by the upper to which it is attached, when the upper is of less elastic material than the webbing, the elastic webbing is held in a slightly stretched condition while being sewed in place. When the sewing is com pleted the tension is relieved. This slightly puckers or gathers the cloth top of the upper when the overshoe is not in use, but the gathering is so slight that the slaclmess of the cloth, occurring princi ally under the cud, is not obj ectionably noticeable when the cult is closed upon an ankle of such site as to hold it even slightly stretchedl The Merrow stitching is preferably continued about the two free ends of the elastic webbing to give them a neat appearance and prevent fraying.

The attachment of the cuff after vulcanisation permits the convenient use of previously prepared elastic webbing and thus avoids deterioration of its rubber threads such as would otherwise occur in the vulcanization of the over-shoe and also avoids the damaging efiects of moisture and vulcanizing heat upon colored webbing.

My invention is susceptible of modifier; tion within its scope without sacrifice of all.

of the advantages set out in the above sl 'atement of objects, and I do not wholly limit my claims to the exact procedure described or to the specific structure shown.

if claim:

1. An overshoe comprising an upper oi rubberized cloth, a strip of longitudinallyelastic webbing extending around the top edge of said upper and secured at its top edge to the top margin of the upper by means of l /lerrow stltching, thesaid stitching normally slightly 'puckering the overshoe top, and means on the respective ends of the said elastic strip for detachably securing the said ends together.

2. An overshoe comprisi a vulcanized lid upper of rubberized fabric, a strip of longitudinally-elastic Webbing extending around and parallel with the top edge of said upper, and secured thereto along its top edge by stitching of a kind that permits limited'relative movement of the Webbing and upper, the said elastic Webbing and stitching normally holding the top edge of the upper in slightly puckered form 'when the overshoe is not in use. I

3. An overshoe comprising an upper of rubberized cloth'having a front opening normally closed by a slide fastener and a longitudinally-elastic cuff-like portion extending around the outer side of said upper at the top edge thereof and secured thereto by stitching, the said cull-like portion having free ends moaioo (lo-operating slide fasteners for closing said opening, a longitudinally-elastic strip of fabric attached at its top edge along the entire top edge of said upper by stitching of a kind to allow limited relative longitudinal movement of the strip and the upper, and fasteners at the respective ends of the strip for fastening the said ends together.

In Witness whereof I'have'hereunto set my hand this 14th day of June, 1928.

FREDERICK WRAY. 

